There are a fair number of different companies offering international auto transport, so you definitely will want to do plenty of research in choosing the right one for your needs. The international car shipping costs will also vary depending on where your vehicle is currently located, where it is going, customs clearance fees and ports, any fees that destination countries might charge, and the way in which your vehicle is being shipped. If you are looking to save a bit, you can opt for consolidate car shipping (where your vehicle shares a container with other vehicles going to the same destination), but that can significantly lengthen your timeline, as the transport company will have to wait until the container is full before sending it abroad.
If you opt for consolidated vehicle shipping, your four-wheeler will be placed into a container along with other vehicles at the same destination port. Not always, but usually takes more time because the company has to get the other cars in order to fill up a container before your vehicle can ship abroad. With Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), an international vehicle transportation vessel has to wait until it is filled to leave, while foreign vehicles shipped in containers are allowed to leave as they would in any other container shipment.
Car transportation ships used for Roll-on/Roll-off shipments are typically visiting several ports, or they might dock in a port that is not the actual destination. Each port can have their own requirements, making international vehicle transport challenging.
If you are moving abroad and you wish to bring items with you in the trunk, the vehicle will need to be shipped via container ships. Also, your car will be held on the ocean carrier on the open deck along with the other vehicles, as opposed to container ship, which is sealed inside the container prior to being shipped internationally. Your car is driven onto the ships hull along with all other cars being shipped to your destination country, secured in position so that it does not move around during transit, and then driven from the massive vessel at your receiving port.
From there, the RoRo vessel will cruise on to your destination port, where you (or someone you have designated) can collect your car. If you would like to send your vehicle abroad, but you live a long way from a seaport, you could hire a local auto mover to move your vehicle from your house to a nearby transportation terminal. Most importantly, your vehicle must be in good condition for pickup by either your foreign car dispatcher or the auto transportation company, which will transport your car to a shipping terminal only.
If you ultimately decide that sending your car abroad is a better option, then you will have to find a reliable company to handle the international shipment of your vehicle. In most cases, an international car mover that you hire will be able to provide you insurance to transport the car abroad, either through their own insurance plan or an insurance company they partner with. It is essential you send the car back home in six months, and your insurer covers the car during the time that you are gone. Your car will be covered under the International Carrier Insurance policy as well as the Ground Transporter Policy while international auto transportation is in progress.
You will likely have to present government-issued identification at both drop-off and pickup for your car, and for international car shipping, your best bet is your passport. If you are moving out of the country into Europe, for instance, you actually could drive your vehicle for six months on American plates and tags without having to register the car–provided that you plan on having the vehicle shipped back home six months or fewer, and that your auto insurance company is willing to cover the car for the duration of your stay abroad.
International auto shipping typically involves fees, duties, and fees (though it should be noted that Alpine Auto Transport does not collect sales taxes), and there can be rules or limits about what types of vehicles you can send to specific countries. Note that we are focusing only on boating your car abroad, as international car transport is incredibly expensive, and is really not recommended for a standard move, unless you are sending a car that is extremely rare or valuable. If you can afford this vehicle transport method, and are sure that the expense is worth it, then you should know that shipping your car internationally via air cargo is the most secure method of them all.
In general, shipping a small car from New York City to Europe is going to cost you less than shipping a big luxurious vehicle from Los Angeles to Japan. About $1 would not be the only expense associated with shipping a vehicle internationally (more about these extra fees below), but represents this baseline you would need to pay, and covers your cars lodging costs while traveling. You can expect to spend around $1,000-$2,000 for shipping one vehicle to another country.
Shipping larger cars, modified cars, and vehicles with damage to their bodies may cost more. Inspect your car before you send it depends on the make or model of your vehicle, fixing some things, and finding parts, may cost more at the car dealership at the destination. If you own a luxury, antique, or classic vehicle, you will likely want to choose enclosed transportation, which could dramatically increase the cost of shipping your vehicle.
If you are only moving one car, a personal effects freight shipper may be able to arrange to have a flatbed tow truck come pick up your vehicle and bring it into their warehouse for loading into your container. Since containers do not come with loading ramps, you will need the flatbed tow truck to assist in loading your vehicle. If you are shipping the vehicle with other belongings, load any of your other possessions first, and then drive the vehicle inside with its front windshield facing toward the doors.
This means that you may have to wait until other customers have booked their own transportation services in the same country, from the same company, before your vehicle is available.
